Free agents are never free for the taking. They usually cost a handsome price. But the Mavericks have money to spend this summer as of July 1, when they officially can talk to agents and free agents. So we’re going to take a look at 10 free agents that make sense for the Mavericks leading up to the start of the frenzy. We’ll start with the 10th-best fit and work our way down to the No. 1 candidate on the Mavericks’ radar, whoever that might be.

Notable: He was a difference-maker for the LA Clippers before he suffered a ruptured achilles tendon that knocked him out after just 20 games … Before the injury there was no question that Billups remained one of the most clutch point guards in the game. He dropped in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win a game over the Mavericks … He’s a five-time All-Star, including as recently as 2010.

Why he makes sense: If – and it’s an if the Mavericks hope they don’t confront – they need a reliable, veteran point guard, they could do much worse than Billups. Everything, of course, will depend on his health, but he’s expected to make a full comeback. Outside of Jason Kidd, he’s about as good a leader as there has been in the league for the last decade. He also remains crafty on the pick-and-roll and has always been a salty defender. He’s a terrific 3-point shooter and free-throw shooter.

Why he’s not: Older players coming off serious knee problems often see a dramatic dip in production. And it’s clear that Billups would be a stop-gap replacement for Jason Kidd and would probably only be on the Mavericks’ radar if Deron Williams falls through. There also could be more attractive suitors for Billups. Any contender for the title that needs a point guard will be interested in him.